March 2015
Welcome
Our commitment to customers with disabilities
Virgin Trains East Coast services
Where we operate
Planning your journey
Plan ahead
Assisted Travel team
Ticket office
Online
National Rail Enquiries
Live travel updates
Assistance
Booking Assistance
Assistance with luggage
Getting to and from the station
Car
- Pick-up and drop-off
- Parking
Buses
Taxis
On foot and bicycle
Buying your ticket
The Disabled Persons Railcard
Concessionary fares available without a Disabled Persons Railcard
Season Tickets for blind or visually impaired customers
Buying tickets
- Online
- Over the phone
- At our stations
- On our trains
- From other train operators and online ticket retailers
At the station and on the train
Assistance
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Automatic ticket gates
Getting on and off the train
- Ramps
Seats on trains
Wheelchair and priority seating areas
Scooters and wheelchairs
Travelling with assistance dogs
Assistance during the journey
On-board announcements
Accessibility features of our trains
Onward travel
Interchange with other forms of transport or onward rail connections
Assistance with onward rail connections
Information about other modes of transport
Service disruption
How we will assist you during service disruption
Assistance for disabled customers during emergencies
Changes to station access
Communicating this policy
Contact and feedback
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Welcome to Virgin Trains East Coast, your new train operator along the East Coast. From 1
March 2015 we aim to give you the service you want and deserve along one of the UK’s finest routes.
The joint venture between Stagecoach and Virgin is set to create something amazing, and we want you to join us.
We’re already working on some big plans for the franchise. For a start we’ll be adding destinations and more frequent train services, new ticket buying systems and better ways to access the travel information you need.
That’s not all. From 2018 we’ll be introducing a fleet of 65 brand new high-speed trains putting Virgin Trains East Coast at the forefront of the National Rail network.
This booklet tells you all about our policies for customers with disabilities.
It is a guide to the detailed arrangements and services we provide to ensure access to the rail network is as easy as possible.
We strive to make travelling easier for passengers with disabilities as we understand the challenges they face on the rail network. We are committed to improving access to our services and will fulfill our legal obligations in relation to disabled customers. We will not discriminate against people with disabilities who wish to use our services and we are committed to improve their access to the rail network, by providing additional support.
We will continue to operate and support the services and facilities introduced by previous franchisees and commit to continuously improve. This includes delivering an investment programme to enhance accessibility to our stations.
This document forms part of our Disabled Person’s Protection Policy (DPPP) and fulfils our obligations under our Passenger and Station Licences, DfT’s Guidance on Disabled Person’s
Protection Policies, DfT’s “Accessible Train and Station Design for Disabled Passengers: A
Code of Practice” and the requirements of legislation such as the Equality Act and the
Human Rights Act.
We are committed to meeting the services, standards and guidance contained in DfT’s current “Accessible Train Station Design for Disabled People: A Code of Practice” (The
Code).
We will identify where existing services and facilities do not comply with the requirements of The Code and work to make these better. We will strive to ensure any changes, improvements or investments that are carried out comply with the standards of The Code.
Where we are not able to fully meet the standards, we will consider alternative measures or seek dispensation where it is not possible to achieve compliance. This policy will be reviewed in the light of any updates to The Code.
We proactively talk to rail industry partners, national and local representatives of disabled travellers and stakeholders in the communities we serve to identify opportunities for improvement, on our trains and across the National Rail network.
Our aim is to support the creation of consistent and high quality standards of access across the rail network for customers with disabilities. We fully support the Disabled Persons
Railcard and participate in the system used to book assistance, Passenger Assist.
David Horne
Managing Director
Virgin Trains East Coast
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Where we operate
We run train services to and from London King’s Cross on the following routes, illustrated by the route map on the back page:
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Lincoln
Leeds via Doncaster
York via Doncaster
Newcastle via York
Sunderland via Newcastle (from December 2015)
Edinburgh via Newcastle
Glasgow Central via Edinburgh
Aberdeen via Edinburgh
Inverness via Edinburgh other routes to/from Skipton, Harrogate, Lincoln, Bradford Forster Square and Hull
We operate 12 stations along these routes: Peterborough, Grantham, Newark North Gate,
Retford, Doncaster, Wakefield Westgate, York*, Darlington, Durham, Newcastle*, Berwickupon-Tweed, Dunbar^. We also have a staff presence at London King’s Cross, Stevenage,
Leeds and Edinburgh stations.
* Planned station management transfer to Network Rail by 30 June 2015
^ Planned station management transfer to ScotRail by 30 June 2015
You’ll find information about accessibility and other facilities at each of these stations at the back of this booklet.
Where a third party provides services or facilities at our stations, we make every effort to ensure they are as accessible as possible and that their location does not cause an obstruction.
We also call at many stations where we are not the station operator. Information about accessibility at these stations is available from our Assisted Travel team or the National Rail
Enquiries website nationalrail.co.uk. You’ll find contact details on page 5.
Plan ahead
We want you to have all the information you need to plan your journey. Our dedicated
Assisted Travel team, our Telephone Sales team and our station ticket office staff are all there to help you.
You can also find information at virgintrainseastcoast.com, in this document (which is updated at least annually) and from National Rail Enquiries at nationalrail.co.uk.
Assisted Travel team
Our Assisted Travel team can help you with the following:
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• advice about access at the stations you want to use and help to plan the best route for your journey help with buying tickets arranging assistance for when you arrive at the station, change trains or reach your destination arranging seat reservations, including wheelchair spaces and extra legroom if
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• you’re travelling with assistance dogs help with arranging seat reservations, assistance and buying tickets for other train operators’ services (although some train operators do not offer seat reservations on their services, you can still arrange assistance)
You can contact the Assisted Travel team in several ways, including by textphone using the
Text Relay service:
Assisted Travel
Phone 03457 225 225
(select option 3 and then option 4)
Text Relay
Email
Opening Times
18001 03457 22 52 25 assisted.travel@virgintrainseastcoast.com
Monday to Saturday 08:00–20:00
Sunday 10:00–20:00
(Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day)
The Text Relay service connects people using a textphone with other people using a telephone or another textphone. It’s a fully automated service so, when required, relay assistants provide a text-to-voice and voice-to-text translation service. For more information please see the Text Relay website textrelay.org.
Ticket office
You can buy tickets, book assistance and reserve seats at any of our ticket offices before you travel.
Online
Plan your journey, book tickets, make seat reservations and request assistance at virgintrainseastcoast.com.
National Rail Enquiries (NRE)
Find out about the accessibility of every station on the National Rail network online at nationalrail.co.uk/passenger_services/disabled_passengers or:
Phone 08457 48 49 50
Textphone 0845 60 50 600
You can also download station maps detailing accessibility from NRE or request them from our Assisted Travel team.
We will ensure that information about accessibility at our stations is always up-to-date. We will report any changes within 24 hours highlighting any significant work being carried out, which may temporarily affect accessibility. We will advise when facilities such as lifts are out of order or where facilities on trains that affect disabled passengers’ journeys are unavailable. We will also advertise where facilities are not available at station entrances and on our website virgintrainseastcoast.com.
Live travel updates
You can find live train service information and details of planned engineering works at
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virgintrainseastcoast.com. You can also register for travel alerts via email or text message.
Up-to-the minute information on all UK rail services is provided by NRE on nationalrail.co.uk and Train Tracker on 0871 200 49 50. Please always check before you set off.
Booking assistance
To enjoy the best service possible for your needs, we strongly recommend booking assistance before you travel. You can do this with the Assisted Travel team, from Virgin
Trains East Coast station ticket offices or at virgintrainseastcoast.com (see page 14 for contact details). To ensure we have the right people available to meet your needs, we ask that you book assistance at least 24 hours ahead of travel.
The Assisted Travel team will use the industry system, Passenger Assist, to book your assistance. All train operators, and Network Rail, have access to this system. When your booking is made on Passenger Assist, notification is given to each station where you require assistance, regardless of the train operator you are travelling with. This notification should include all the details required to provide your assistance, such as any requirement for a ramp or use of a wheelchair.
After your booking is completed you will be given a reference number, which you need to take with you so that staff at stations and on trains can identify your booking.
The assistance service is in place so that you can access train services; to provide assistance between the station and the train where, as a result of the barriers trains and stations present, you are not able to access them independently.
The assistance service is not there to be a luggage or porter service for those without a disability; it is there for customers who rely on assistance to access train services.
However, for those requiring luggage assistance as a result of their mobility impairment, assistance will be provided and we strongly recommend that this is booked in advance.
If it’s not possible to book assistance 24 hours in advance, please get in touch and we will do all we can to help you.
All stations operated by Virgin Trains East Coast are staffed and we provide assistance at our stations during the hours that trains are scheduled to operate. However, other stations where our trains call may not always have staff available, so booking assistance in advance enables arrangements to be made that meet your needs.
If you have booked assistance and for any reason it is not provided at a Virgin Trains East
Coast operated station, we will refund the cost of your entire journey (100% of the value of a single ticket, or 50% of a return ticket). If you were not satisfied with the assistance provided, please contact our Customer Relations team, quoting the assistance reference number of your booking. Full details of our compensation policies can be found in our
Passenger’s Charter, which is available on our website, from our stations or posted to you by our Customer Relations team.
The level of assistance we provide is limited by what our staff can safely do to fulfil your request. Although our frontline staff all have manual handling training, there may be occasions when they cannot carry luggage or provide assistance to a wheelchair user, without risk of injury due to the weights involved. In these circumstances, our staff will provide further advice such as using the left luggage or luggage postage services available.
Assistance with luggage
We will always do our best to help with luggage but please be aware that we do not have staff specifically to carry luggage, so they may have to attend to train safety before they
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can help. However, through booking assistance in advance, you will help us ensure we have adequate resources available to meet your needs at the time you need it.
Please bear in mind the weight, size and quantity of luggage. Your allowance, as specified in the National Rail Conditions of Carriage, is for two large items not exceeding
90x70x30cm and one small item which you should be able to be place on your lap.
Left luggage facilities are accessible to passengers with disabilities. The station facilities table at the back of this booklet lists those stations with left luggage facilities.
You can plan your journey to and from the station at virgintrainseastcoast.com or by using the Traveline service at traveline.info.
If you need assistance at London King’s Cross, please go to the Customer Information Point in the new concourse. If you come in a taxi, there’s an assistance point next to the taxi drop-off, so you can call for assistance.
Our staff can assist you from our trains to St. Pancras International Station or to the street level entrance of King’s Cross St. Pancras Underground Station. They can also assist you to the taxi rank or the bus stop right outside the station, on the same side of the road.
Pick-up and drop-off
All our stations have designated pick-up and drop-off points near the entrance to make access to the station easy and safe. Our stations also have short stay car parking areas, which may be of use for people assisting or meeting others.
Parking
All our station car parks have designated bays for Blue Badge holders to provide easy access. Please clearly display your Blue Badge permit in your car when using these spaces.
Normal car parking charges apply. We monitor use of these spaces and carry out enforcement if necessary to ensure only Blue Badge holders use them.
Our aim is to balance the need for parking for customers with disabilities with the availability of spaces for others. We monitor and review this every three months. When proposing changes to the quantum of Blue Badge spaces, we will consult with passenger representative organizations as well as the appropriate statutory bodies.
Most of our stations have good connections with local bus services. You can find directions to the bus stops and details of the services on station information posters.
Information is provided at virgintrainseastcoast.com. The NRE website also provides local bus service information at nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations.
In addition, Traveline provides information about buses and all other forms of transport available along our route. You can call Traveline on 0871 200 2233 or go online to traveline.info.
For information about bus services in London call Transport for London on 020 72 22 1234
(24 hours a day) or go to tfl.gov.uk.
You can buy PlusBus with your train ticket for a discounted price. It gives you unlimited local bus travel and is available for 28 towns and cities along our route and over 290 towns across Britain. Visit plusbus.info for more details.
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Information posters near the entrance of all our stations give directions to taxi ranks. The stations facilities tables at the book of this booklet detail the availability of accessible taxis from our stations. Information about accessible taxis is also available from our Assisted
Travel team on 03457 225 225 (select option 3 and then option 4). The NRE website nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations also has information about taxis from every station on the rail network. When arranging contracts for taxis we take into account their ability to provide accessible vehicles at all our stations. However, there are locations that are not served by accessible taxis; please refer to the stations facilities tables for more information.
Our aim is to make access to stations as easy and safe as possible. All our stations have space for cycles, step-free access, dropped kerbs and tactile paving at key points.
The Disabled Persons Railcard
You may qualify for a Disabled Persons Railcard if you have a disability that makes travelling by train difficult.
Your railcard entitles you and an adult travel companion to 1/3 off most Standard and First
Class fares on the National Rail network. It also allows you to buy discounted tickets on board the train if your disability prevents you from buying a ticket at the station. If you have purchased a ticket with your Disabled Persons Railcard discount, you need to carry your railcard with you.
Detailed information is provided in the ‘Rail travel made easy’ guide published by the
Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC). This guide and application form is available from major stations, from the Disabled Persons Railcard Office and from the NRE website nationalrail.co.uk.
You can contact the Disabled Persons Railcard Office in the following ways:
Online disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk
Phone
Minicom/textphone
Email
0845 605 0525
0845 601 0132
(for customers with hearing impairments) disability@atoc.org.uk
Concessionary fares available without a Disabled Persons Railcard
If you need to stay in your wheelchair during your journey, or if you’re registered blind or visually impaired, you’re entitled to the following discounts on First Class and Standard
Anytime tickets throughout Great Britain, even if you do not have a Disabled Persons
Railcard:
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34% discount for First Class/Standard Anytime Singles or Returns
34% discount on First Class/Standard Anytime Day Singles
50% discount on First Class/Standard Anytime Day Returns
An adult travelling with you is also entitled to the same discount.
If you have a visual impairment you must travel with a companion to claim this discount.
In the case of customers with visual impairment, please bring a document that confirms
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your impairment when you buy your ticket and when you travel. This must be from an institution such as Social Services, your Local Authority, The Royal National Institute of Blind
People (RNIB) or St Dunstan’s.
Season Tickets for blind or visually impaired customers
If you are blind or visually impaired you can buy a Season Ticket that allows a companion
(this doesn’t always have to be the same person) to travel with you at no extra cost. You can buy these tickets from staffed stations. As above, please take a document from a recognised institution confirming your impairment.
Buying tickets
You can buy tickets in several ways:
Online
You can buy tickets on our website virgintrainseastcoast.com for any journey on the
National Rail network. You can claim Disabled Persons Railcard discounts, reserve a seat and request assistance. Tickets can be collected from stations, at ticket offices or selfservice machines, or they can be posted to you (please allow five working days or pay an extra charge for next-day delivery).
Over the phone
Our Telephone Sales team are here to help you and can be reached by:
Phone
Text Relay
Open
03457 225 225
18001 03457 225 225
Monday to Saturday 08:00–20:00
Sunday 10:00–20:00
(Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day)
You can also book any assistance you need during your journey and reserve your seat.
Alternatively you can pick up tickets from the self-service machines or ticket offices at our stations.
When you collect tickets from our self-service machines or stations, you will need to bring the credit or debit card you used, as well as the booking reference number you will receive.
If you are unable to bring the card you used, please contact the retailer where you purchased the ticket immediately and no later than the day before travel.
At our stations
You can buy tickets, reserve seats and book assistance at our ticket offices. Every sales point within our ticket offices is fitted with an induction loop or has a portable induction loop available. All our ticket offices have low-level counters suitable for wheelchairs users
(see the table at the back of this booklet).
All Virgin Trains East Coast stations have self-service ticket machines where you can buy discounted tickets with a valid railcard. A full list of stations with accessible ticket machines is available on the NRE website nationalrail.co.uk. All our stations have machines that meet the DfT Code of Practice.
On our trains
If you are unable to buy a ticket before you board one of our trains, you can buy one on the train and still use your Disabled Persons Railcard.
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Please note that at stations where automatic or manual ticket barriers are in use you will need to buy a ticket before you travel. The only exception to this is if you are unable to buy a ticket because the ticket office is closed, a self-service ticket machine that accepts cash is not available, if you are unable to access our ticket retail facilities as a result of your disability or if you are entitled to a concessionary fare without a railcard, such as for permanent wheelchair users. In these circumstances you can buy any ticket available on the day of travel, including with railcard discounts, on the train.
From other train operators and online ticket retailers
You can also buy tickets to travel on our services from other train operators and rail tickets retailers.
Assistance
All our staff will be happy to provide information and assist you. They are available during the hours our train services are scheduled to operate. Our members of staff are trained to assist people with disabilities. The details for each station are available on our website virgintrainseastcoast.com, on the station information posters and from our Assisted Travel team (see contact details on page 14) or from NRE nationalrail.co.uk.
We recommend getting to the station at least 20 minutes before your train is due to depart so you have plenty of time to get on board. Please come to us as soon as you arrive. Each station has a designated meeting point for customers who have booked assisted travel (see the table at the back of this booklet). Many stations also have Customer Information Points where you can get specific accessibility information or up to date travel information, timetables or leaflets to help you plan your journey.
Wheelchairs are available at all our stations for temporary use.
To help you identify your train all Virgin Trains East Coast stations have electronic customer information screens. We also use public address systems to give you clear and consistent information, which is particularly important in the event of delays or disruption.
All our stations have Secure Stations Accreditation. This is awarded by the DfT, following assessment by the British Transport Police, and demonstrates our commitment to passenger and staff security.
Accessible platform seating is available at all our stations. Take a look at the list of station facilities on the table at the back of this booklet.
Automatic ticket gates
Automatic ticket gates are in operation at London King’s Cross, Peterborough, Grantham,
Newark North Gate, Wakefield Westgate, Darlington, Durham and Newcastle. All these stations have a wide aisle gate suitable for wheelchair users or those with impaired mobility. If a member of staff is not available to supervise the ticket gates, the gates will be left open.
To support special events, such as horse racing at Doncaster and York, we occasionally implement temporary gatelines to improve security and revenue protection.
Getting on and off the train
Ramps
To give wheelchair users access to and from trains, all our stations have ramps able to carry up to 230kgs. Our trains also carry ramps that can carry 300kgs.
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Although ramps can be used at all our stations, some stations on the rail network have a height difference between the train and platform that makes them unsuitable. If you book assistance in advance, we’ll tell you about accessibility at the station you wish to use or an accessible alternative if required.
You can book help getting on and off our trains through our Assisted Travel team. You’ll find their contact details on page 14. Our staff will assist you to and from your seat, or your reserved space if you are in a wheelchair. If you have not booked assistance, our on-board and station teams will still do their best to help you. By booking in advance we will be able to help you more promptly and efficiently.
At stations where trains terminate, we will attend to the needs of customers who have booked assistance as quickly as possible. You will wait no longer than five minutes after the arrival of the train.
Seats on trains
You can make seat reservations at our ticket offices, other operators’ station ticket offices, on our website virgintrainseastcoast.com, through our Telephone Sales team or through our
Assisted Travel team. If you do not have a seat reservation our on-board team will try their best to find you a seat.
Virgin Trains East Coast operates two types of train. One electric (also known as an Intercity
225) and the other a diesel train (also known as an Intercity 125 or HST). However, two of our diesel trains have different seating layouts. The seating layouts for all of our train types can be found towards the back of this booklet.
Wheelchair and priority seating areas
All our trains have designated wheelchair spaces in First Class and Standard accommodation. There are “assistance” buttons nearby and at least one wheelchair accessible toilet with “assistance” buttons. Wheelchair spaces are available in Coach L in
First Class and Coach F in Standard accommodation. Our staff keep an eye on these seats to ensure they are available for those who need them. You’ll find pictures of the layout of these carriages at the back of this booklet.
Our trains have “priority” seating near coach doors, which have folding tables and armrests for easier access. These are for customers with disabilities, pregnant women, those with impairments to their mobility or for older people. Space is available beneath these seats for an assistance dog.
Scooters and wheelchairs
All our trains can carry wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The maximum dimensions we accept varies by train type:
Electric train accommodation
120cm long and 70cm wide in both First or Standard
Diesel train 120cm long by 70cm wide in Standard accommodation, and 120cm long by 55cm wide in First Class
However, two of our diesel trains have a slightly different seating layout and the maximum dimensions accepted on these train are 120cm long by 70cm wide in First Class and 120cm long by 62cm wide in Standard accommodation. Our staff can advise you at the station if your train one of these trains.
There is only one accessible toilet on our diesel trains. This is in Standard accommodation for most trains but in First Class for the two trains with the different layout. If you have booked the wheelchair space and are due to travel on the train with a different layout, our
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staff will assist you to the First Class wheelchair space if it is available. If it is not available, the space within Standard accommodation will be used or our team will assist you onto a different service if that space is not accessible to you.
If you use a wheelchair or mobility scooter please call our Assisted Travel team at least 24 hours before you travel as space for these items is limited.
Travelling with assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are welcomed on all our trains. We provide dedicated seating with additional legroom for customers travelling with assistance dogs. Please book in advance from our Assisted Travel team.
Assistance during your journey
All our trains have an on-board team. They will do their best to assist you during your journey including meeting you and helping you to your seat.
Most of our trains have a catering service. Many have a complimentary at-seat dining service in First Class and a buffet car with an at-seat trolley service for passengers in Standard accommodation. If you are unable to access the buffet car and no trolley service is available, staff will be happy to bring you refreshments on request wherever possible. Staff can also help to open wrappers or cartons.
If you let us know that you require assistance via our Assisted Travel team, it helps us give you prompt and efficient service.
On-board announcements
Our on-board team make announcements. They understand the importance of making timely announcements, particularly before the train departs and before arrival at a station, to give people with disabilities or mobility-impairments enough time to prepare to get off safely.
Our trains do not have visual information displays inside the coaches, but we do display station calling information cards in the doorway windows. You can see these from station platforms.
Accessibility features of our trains
You’ll find a picture showing the location and facilities on each of our types of trains at the back of this booklet.
Interchange with other forms of transport or onward rail connections
Travel on our trains may only be part of your journey. Our policy is to help customers make connections between other rail services or other forms of transport at our stations as easy as possible.
Assistance with onward rail connections
Our Assisted Travel team can give you information about onward connections including booking assistance. Please see page 14 for contact details.
While all Virgin Trains East Coast stations have level access, your journey may involve stations not operated by us. If these stations are inaccessible to you, we will advise you when you book assistance as alternate arrangements may have to be made. This may include travelling to the next accessible station or the operator of that station providing alternative accessible transportation, such as a taxi, to your destination station. Should such
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transportation be required, we may refer you to the operator of that station to make your assistance booking.
Information about other modes of transport
You’ll find information about other modes of transport such as buses and taxis to and from
Virgin Trains East Coast stations on our station information posters and on our website virgintrainseastcoast.com.
The NRE website, nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations, has information about taxis and buses from stations.
Traveline (traveline.org.uk) or 0871 200 22 33 also provides information on other forms of transport from rail stations.
How we will assist you during service disruption
We know service disruption can cause significant problems for customers with disabilities who cannot necessarily use other travel options.
All our staff are trained and briefed on the importance of proactively providing frequent information through customer information systems, audio announcements, notice-boards, and our website virgintrainseastcoast.com as well as providing additional support to disabled customers during disruption. Our aim is to ensure passengers are informed of delays within two minutes of the delay being known.
If the platform of the train you’re about to board is changed at short notice, our staff will help you to reach the appropriate platform such as with luggage or providing guidance if you have a visual impairment. If you miss your train we will ensure you get on the next available train at no additional cost.
During short-notice disruption, if you have booked assistance we will ensure any changes to your travel arrangements are notified to all the relevant locations on the remainder of your journey so staff can help you, even if you are on a different train from the one planned.
When emergency or amended timetables are introduced, we aim to contact passengers who have booked assistance to inform them and make alternative arrangements if required.
If buses or coaches replace trains, we will always endeavor to provide vehicles that comply with relevant accessibility regulations. However, at short notice, this may not always be possible. Our staff will direct you to this substitute transport. If you are unable to access the alternative transport provided, then we will do all we can to arrange a taxi you can access at no extra cost to the nearest station with appropriate access.
If you are unable to reach your destination by train because of service disruption, we will ensure that alternative accessible transport is provided for you at no extra cost. If needed, we will provide overnight hotel accommodation until we can get you to your final destination.
Assistance for disabled customers during emergencies
All our staff are trained to deal with emergencies on our trains or stations. We will identify members of staff who can assist in the most appropriate way for your safety and that of others. If you use a wheelchair, or have significant impairment to your mobility, our normal policy is not to evacuate you from our trains until appropriate support is available unless you are in a life-threatening situation.
We regularly review our emergency procedures and consult with representatives of customers with disabilities during this process.
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Changes to station access
If proposals to change access arrangements at a station would lead to a reduction in accessibility to any platform or facility for people with disabilities, there will be no closures of station entrances or gates until consultation has taken place with the DfT, Passenger
Focus, London TravelWatch and appropriate local disability groups.
Where accessibility is altered or removed, we will provide reasonable replacement facilities that are accessible. Any changes to access will be subject to the approval of the DfT.
Where access to platforms or other facilities for customers with disabilities (eg lifts, accessible toilets etc), breakdown or are temporarily out of use, we will notify NRE and put the relevant information on our website within 24 hours and display it at the station entrance. Where possible, this notification includes the expected or actual date by when the facility will be available again. If, as a result of facilities being out of use you are unable to access our station, we will provide, where necessary, suitable alternative transport for customers to/from the nearest suitable station.
We welcome comments from you about any facilities or services that may be unavailable.
Copies of this booklet are available for free from our ticket offices and you can download them from our website virgintrainseastcoast.com. You can also get copies from our
Customer Relations team, along with the supporting document ‘Making Rail Accessible:
Guide to policies and practices’.
You can also request a copy in alternative formats such as audio and large print. We aim to have these sent out to you within seven working days of receiving your request.
We welcome your comments about all aspects of our services. Comments and Compliments forms are available at all our stations. Responsibility for delivery of this policy rests with the
Customer Experience Director who can be contacted through the Customer Relations team.
Our Passenger’s Charter, which is available at stations, on our website virgintrainseastcoast.com and on request from the Customer Relations team, explains how we will try to make amends should a problem occur on your journey.
How to contact us
Customer Relations
Post
Phone
Virgin Trains East Coast Customer Relations
Freepost RSRJ-LJCX-GHST
Plymouth PL4 6AB
03457 225 333
Email
Open customers@virgintrainseastcoast.com
Monday to Sunday 07.00–22.00
(Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day)
Assisted Travel
Phone 03457 225 225
(select option 3 and then option 4)
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Text Relay
Email
Open
General Enquiries/Telephone Sales Team
Phone
Open
Group Travel
Phone
Website Booking Support
Phone
Open
Refunds
18001 03457 22 52 25 assisted.travel@virgintrainseastcoast.com
Monday to Saturday 08:00–20:00
Sunday 10:00–20:00
03457 225 225
Monday to Saturday 08.00–20.00
Sunday 10.00–20.00
Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day)
03457 225 225
03457 225 111
Monday to Saturday 08.00-20.00
Sunday 10.00-20.00
(Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day)
For refunds of tickets purchased over the phone from our Telephone Sales Team:
Post Virgin Trains East Coast Refund Administration
Freepost RSRJ-LJCX-GHST
Plymouth
PL4 6AB
For refunds of tickets purchased from our website:
Post
For Season Ticket refunds:
Virgin Trains East Coast Web Support
Freepost RTHL-GCAJ-BRAL
1 Trinity Court
Broadlands
Wolverhampton
WV10 6UH
Post Season Ticket Refund Team
East Coast House
25 Skeldergate
York
YO1 6DH
15

Facilities/Stations
Induction loops
Peterborough


Grantham


Newark
North Gate


Retford


Low level ticket counters








Staffed Customer
Information Point
Baby change
Accessible toilet



 
For travel advice, please consult with staff in ticket office



For travel advice, please consult with staff in ticket office



For travel advice, please consult with staff in ticket office


Meeting point for assistance
Level of platform accessibility
Hours staff assistance is available
Ticket office opening hours
Impaired mobility set down
Accessible taxis
Accessible platform seating
Accessible weather proof waiting facilities
Wheelchair available for temporary use
Designated Blue Badge parking
Customer
Information Point in main entrance hall
Lift available – independent access
Mon-Sun 24 hours
Mon-Fri 06.00-21.00;
Sat 06.00-21.00;
Sun 08.05-21.00



All platforms


Customer Service office, Platform 1
Lift available – independent access
Mon-Fri 05.35-
01.00;
Sat 05.35-00.00;
Sun 08.30-00.00
Mon-Sat 05.50-
20.00;
Sat 05.50-20.00;
Sun 08.50-19.30



Main entrance hall


Ticket office, main concourse
Ticket office during opening times – all other times
Customer
Service office, Platform
1
Doncaster







Customer
Information
Point, Main concourse
08.15-18.00
Outside these hours use ticket office when open or
Customer
Service Office
Platform 3B
Lifts are available – independent access
Mon-Fri 05.30-
01.30;
Sat 05.30-
00.00;
Sun 08.00-00.30
Mon-Fri 05.45-
20.15;
Sat 05.45-
19.40;
Sun 08.45-20.00

Limited availability as only one accessible taxi is available on the rank

All platforms


For mainline platforms, lifts are available for independent access. Access to platform 4 on the low level is via stairs or escorted lift.
Access to platform 3 on the low level is via stairs or a barrow crossing from platform 4
– assistance required
Mon-Fri 05.30-
23.30;
Sat 05.30-
23.30;
Sun 08.10-23.30
Mon-Fri 05.35-
20.15;
Sat 05.35-
16.55;
Sun 08.20-16.10

Limited availability as only one accessible taxi is available on the rank

On mainline platforms, shelters on other platforms


Lifts are available – independent access
Mon-Fri 05.15-
01.30;
Sat 05.15-
01.15;
Sun 07.30-01.30
Mon-Thurs
05.15-20.00;
Fri 05.15-21.00;
Sat 05.15-
20.00;
Sun 08.00-20.00



Platforms 3, 4 and 8


16

Customer information systems
Accessible public telephones
Catering facilities available
Both visual displays and aural using PA system


Both visual displays and aural using PA system

Café with seating and coffee kiosk
Both visual displays and aural using PA system

Coffee kiosk and café, both with seating
Both visual displays and aural using PA system

Coffee facilities and vending machines with seating
Both visual displays and aural using PA system

Café with seating; coffee kiosks; shops serving refreshments to take away
Facilities/Stations
Wakefield
Westgate
York Darlington Durham
Induction loops
   
Low level ticket counters
   
Staffed Customer
Information Point
Baby change
Accessible toilet








For travel advice, please consult with staff in ticket office


Meeting point for
APRS assistance
Level of platform accessibility
Hours staff assistance is available
Ticket office opening hours
Customer
Information Point, main concourse
Lifts available – independent access
Mon-Fri 05.00-23.59;
Sat 05.00-00.10;
Sun 08.30-23.59
Mon-Weds 06.00-
20.00;
Thurs-Fri 06.00-
20.30;
Sat 06.00-20.30;
Sun 08.00-20.00
Customer
Reception, main concourse
Lifts available – independent access
Mon-Sun
24 hours
Mon-Fri 05.45-
21.15;
Sat 05.45-21.00;
Sun 07.30-21.30


Customer
Information
Point, Platform
4
(opposite ticket office)
Level access from Station
Approach.
Steep ramps from Victoria
Road entrance – assistance recommended
Mon-Fri 24 hours;
Sat 00.00-
23.59;
Sun 07.30-23.59
Mon-Thurs
06.00-20.00;
Fri 06.00-
21.00;
Sat 06.00-
19.45;
Sun 08.00-20.00
Station
Supervisor’s office Platform
1
Lifts available – independent access
Mon-Fri 24 hours;
Sat 00.00-
23.59;
Sun 07.30-23.59
Mon-Thurs
06.00-19.30;
Fri 06.00-20.00;
Sat 06.00-
19.00;
Sun 08.00-20.00
Impaired mobility set down
   
Accessible taxis    
Accessible platform seating
Accessible weather proof waiting facilities
Wheelchair available for temporary use
Designated Blue Badge parking

Both platforms



Platform 3 and
7/9



Platforms and main concourse



Platforms 1 and
2


Customer information systems
Both visual displays and aural using PA system
Both visual displays and aural using PA system
Both visual displays and aural using PA system
Both visual displays and aural using PA system
Accessible public telephones
   
Newcastle





Customer
Information
Point, main concourse
Steep ramps to
Platforms 5-8;
Lifts to
Platforms 3 and
4 – assistance recommended
Mon-Sun
24 hours
Mon-Fri 05.00-
21.20;
Sat 05.00-
21.20;
Sun 07.30-21.20



Platforms 3, 4,
5, 6


Both visual displays and aural using PA system

17

Catering facilities available
Café and coffee shops both with seating. Shop serving refreshments to take away
Public House; café and coffee kiosk all with seating. Various shops serving food to take away
Café and coffee shops both with seating. Various shops serving food to take away
Café and coffee shops both with seating. Various shops serving food to take away
Public house; café and coffee kiosk all with seating.
Various shops serving food to take away
Facilities/Stations
Berwick-upon-
Tweed
Dunbar
Induction loops  
Low level ticket counters
 
Staffed Customer
Information Point
Baby change
Accessible toilet
Meeting point for
APRS assistance

For travel advice, please consult with staff in ticket office


Main entrance or ticket office

For travel advice, please consult with staff in ticket office


Ticket office
Level of platform accessibility
Lift between ticket hall/ platforms and over bridge
Level access – independent access
Hours staff assistance is available
Mon-Thurs 05.30-
22.45;
Fri 05.30-23.45;
Sat 06.20-22.00;
Sun 09.00-23.00
Mon-Fri 05.55-
22.05;
Sat 06.25-22.20;
Sun 11.15-22.05
Ticket office opening hours
Mon-Fri 05.45-18.30;
Sat 06.45-18.15;
Sun 09.45-18.15
Mon-Fri 06.10-
21.15;
Sat 07.00-20.00;
Sun 11.15-18.30
Impaired mobility set down
Accessible taxis


There are no accessible taxis available on the station rank and only one accessible taxi operates in
Berwick



Accessible platform seating
Accessible weather proof waiting facilities
Main entrance hall and platforms

Platform 1
(single platform station)
Wheelchair available for temporary use
Designated Blue Badge parking
Customer information systems


Both visual displays and aural using PA system


Both visual displays and aural using PA system
Accessible public telephones
Catering facilities available

Coffee kiosk with seating

Vending machines only
*York and Newcastle stations are planned to transfer to Network Rail management, and Dunbar to ScotRail management, in
June 2015.
18

Facilities/Stations
Induction loops
Low level ticket counters
Staffed Customer
Information Point
Baby change
Accessible toilet
Meeting point for assistance
Level of platform accessibility
Glasgow Central





West Coast reception on main concourse, drop off point on carriage driveway between Platforms
11 and 12 or customer lounge adjacent to Platforms 1 and 2
Level access to all platforms
Edinburgh





East Coast
Customer Service reception adjacent to the
East end of Platform
11
Lifts and escalators
Leeds





Northern Trains
Customer
Information
Lifts and escalators
Hours staff assistance is available
Ticket office opening hours
Impaired mobility set down
Accessible taxis
Accessible platform seating
Accessible weather proof waiting facilities
Wheelchair available for temporary use
Designated Blue Badge parking
Customer information systems
Accessible public telephones
Catering facilities available
Mon-Sat 04.00-
00.30;
Sun 07.00-00.30
Mon-Sat 05.30-
21.30;
Sun 09.15-21.30



Main concourse


Both visual displays and aural using PA system

Public house; coffee kiosks; catering establishments with seating. Various shops serving food to take away
Mon-Sat 04.00-
00.45;
Sun 06.00-00.45
Mon-Fri 05.00-
00.00;
Sat 05.30-00.00;
Sun 07.00-00.00



Main concourse


Both visual displays and aural using PA system

Public house; coffee kiosks; catering establishments with seating.
Various shops serving food to take away
Mon-Sun 24 hours
Mon-Sun 24 hours



Main concourse and
Platforms 1, 9,
11, 12 and 15


Both visual displays and aural using PA system

Public house; coffee kiosks; catering establishments with seating.
Various shops serving food to take away
London
King’s Cross





Customer
Information
Point on main concourse or if arriving by car, the
West Yard entrance
Level access to all platforms
Mon-Fri 05.00-
01.36;
Sat 05.00-
00.36;
Sun 05.30-01.36
Mon-Fri 05.15-
01.40;
Sat 05.15-
00.40;
Sun 06.00-01.40



Adjacent to ticket office


Both visual displays and aural using PA system

Public house; coffee kiosks.
Various shops serving food to take away
19

All seats have fold-up armrests to make it easier to get in and out. “Priority” labeled seats with additional legroom and fold-up tables are situated near doors in all coaches. There is one wheelchair space in First Class and two in Standard accommodation all with companion seating. Assistance buttons can be found adjacent to wheelchair spaces and in accessible toilets.
20

All seats have fold-up armrests to make it easier to get in and out. “Priority” labelled seats with additional legroom and fold-up tables are situated near doors in all coaches. There is one wheelchair space in First Class and two in Standard accommodation all with companion seating. Assistance buttons can be found adjacent to wheelchair spaces and in the accessible toilet (please note there is no accessible toilet in First Class).
21

There is one wheelchair space in First Class and one in Standard accommodation both with companion seating. Please note that there is no accessible toilet in Standard accommodation on this train.
22

All internal and external doors are accessible to wheelchair users and seating space is provided in both First and Standard Class accommodation.
Wheelchair-accessible toilets are provided in First Class accommodation. “Priority” labelled seats with additional legroom and fold-up tables are situated near doors in all coaches.
The First Class wheelchair space has an adjustable table and there is a small fixed height table in Standard Class.
First class standard
23

24